I watched the finals of the Lady’s US OPEN yesterday it was amazing to see; a sure motivator for Women in the USA. And it’s clear Women’s Polo is about to get much bigger. The reason? Hope. That is Hope Arellano. A very young American star on the fast track to 10 goals, and the next Sunny Hale.
Men’s polo continues to decline in America, with American players without dual passports being removed from high goal polo. Hope’s Dad, Julio Arellano, was the highest rated player in the USA in this Century, and though he might have been disabled a couple years ago, he was not diminished in his skills as a teacher. Julio was 9 goals for most, if not, all of the 2000’s, but his Daughter may just pass him, as she played was 10 goals today. Julio was the Coach as well today and worked against the other side with 2 of the best ten goal players (A.C. and Pelon) as their coaches. In addition, the other side had Valiente Horses, and the 10 goal Superstar Nina Clarkin, but this did not stop Hope and her hard working 10 goaler, Hazel Jackson, (who is probably the second best player in the World). Along with Pam Flanagan, the organizer Deluxe, hard riding Wini Bransoum and Sponsor La Fe, they rode off to a huge victory and the title.
Meanwhile, in the Gold Cup it’s down to the semis as Dutton Corp, with a couple of young guns, Joaquin Avendano and Timmy Dutta, backed up by Tomas Del Rio and Mariano Obrergon, who take on David Paradice’s Scone, who have a real young gun Porto Cambiaso (17 yr old and 9 goals), and former 10 goal star, Pelon Sterling, backed up by a true Yank, Cody Ellis. So it should be a good one! Wednesday 3/22/23
In the other semi it’s Pilot who has been here before, like last year, as Curtis Pilot brings the guns of Facundo Pieres and hard riding Matias Zavaleta, along with young gun Matias Gonzalez who take on PARK PLACE. Park Place who have missed very few finals in the high goal and are led by Andrew Borodin and Juan Briton and Mr Speed, 10 goaler Hilario Ulloa, and yank Jason Wates. They have been steady eddy and are ready to close the door to get them here, so it will be a war anyway it goes.
A great week of Polo and it’s just beginning. Hats off to La Fe and the US Women’s Open Polo. It was awesome.
Cya
internationalpoloconnection.com 